Page 2 of Paramour of Sin

Oh, I’d improved over the last two decades, thanks to Zane and Lord Zebulon. But I was still nowhere near perfect. Still, I was down to maybe one dead body a month. And that had to count for something.

“Stop looking at my groin,” Gleason said as he filled up my glass.

“In my defense, you make a very nice package.” It was hard not to flirt with Danny Gleason. His thick auburn hair, defined cheekbones, and brilliant green eyes, were just the tip of the handsome iceberg. He also had a six pack—something I’d seen more than once as his roommate—and he wore tight jeans all the time that exquisitely cupped his ass and other impressive regions.

But I did my best to maintain our friends only policy.

Besides, I really didn’t want to hurt him. As a Nephilim, he could probably survive it. However, I wasn’t about to risk it.

“I’m also really enjoying this whole protest with the razor,” I added, waving at the deep red stubble decorating his jaw. “It’s sexy, G. Taking notes from Creek?” It was a taunt, one that worked because Gleason cringed. Creek was his Nephilim protégé. He had fire-red hair, a contrast to G’s darker auburn locks, and a bushy beard that Gleason often referred to as a fighting hazard.

“Note to self—shave tomorrow,” my roomie grumbled.

I nodded serenely. “Yes, women appreciate good manscaping.”

He grunted and poured me a glass of wine. “Drink that and stop talking.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s not how this works,” I said before taking a sip. “My mouth just keeps working unless you put something substantial in it.”

He nearly choked on his own wine, making me smile. Rather than reply, he just leaned against the counter across from me and admired my exposed legs. Gleason never bothered to hide his attraction. He knew I could sense it anyway. Just as I sensed his reservations and the block between us.

It was a well-defined line that neither of us would cross, even with all the flirting and longing glances.

Besides, he knew who owned my heart.

He’d witnessed the crushing of said heart firsthand.

Zane would never love me. And Lord Zebulon, well, he’d only ever kissed me. He was too powerful for anything else. Not that I loved the latter. I admired him more than anything else. And maybe I had a tiny crush on him, too.

Er, no. That was a lie.

I harbored a big crush on him.

But that was just my age and inexperience talking. Zane had been the first demon to befriend me in this realm. And Lord Zebulon, well, who didn’t want a place in his bed?

All that sensual energy and grace.

Mmm.My thighs clenched at the thought.

Yeah, I had it bad. Sometimes I thought I might even crave Lord Zebulon more than I desired Zane. Which was saying a lot since I’d been crushing on the incubus for like twenty-five years.

Although, lately, his impact on me had proven to be less potent.

Unlike Lord Zebulon. Every time that man walked into a room, I about melted into a puddle of liquid Gwen goo.

Definitely a crush.

“You’re doing that thing where you think with your face,” Gleason remarked, breaking into my thoughts and reminding me of his presence. He sipped from his glass. “Zane?”

Usually, he would be right. But interestingly, my mind had shifted elsewhere. Was that a sign that I’d finally moved on?

To Lord Zebulon?I shivered. That couldn’t be better than Zane.

What was with me and desiring unattainable men?

“Maybe you should try talking to him again,” Gleason recommended when I didn’t reply.

“Who? Zane?” Of course that was who he meant. I’d never confessed a thing to Lord Zebulon. But the incubus, yeah, I had, and… “No, thank you.” He’d called me a child after my declaration of love. Not exactly the most flattering response.